Skincare 101 - Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

October 01, 2018

Do you have Dry or Dehydrated Skin?

Quite often people describe their skin as dry but in actuality, they have dehydrated skin. The two are easy to confuse as some of the symptoms can feel the same but they are actually two completely different concerns that require different methods of care. Here is a short guide to help you find out what is going on with your skin and how to care for it.

Dehydrated Skin

This is the most common skin issue, caused by the lack of water in the stratum corneum (top layer of the skin). Our skin can quickly lose water with exposure to indoor heaters, sun, and various lifestyle factors such as environmental pollution, excessive caffeine consumption, or other dietary factors, which can lead to dehydration and accelerates skin aging. This condition can impact all skin types, even oily skin.

How dehydrated skin looks and feels:- feels rough- shows lines and fine wrinkles- feels tight especially after cleansing- looks dull and lacks radiance- can be more sensitive and reactive- lacks firmness and tone- may be itchy- may look shiny or greasy as the day progresses

How to care for dehydrated skin:

Since dehydrated skin lacks water it is very important to treat dehydrated skin with water-based products first. Oils and heavy balms might initially feel good on the skin but will not improve this condition long term. Look for ingredients that draw water into the skin like hyaluronic acid and plant humectants. We recommend layering the Fitglow BeautyVita Active Serumwith theVita Rich Crèmeto help restore water and hydration to the skin. This skin type also benefits from theSea Toning Mistwhich is rich in hyaluronic acid and layers beautifully with serums and creams.

Dry Skin

The lack of oils/lipids is the main reason for this skin condition. Dry skin is a skin type that can be hereditary and can be impacted by poor diet (particularly diets lacking in essential fatty acids), improper skincare, and exposure to environmental stressors. Lack of lipids in the skin can lead to the skin not only being dry but also to it becoming dehydrated; when the skin lacks lipids more water is able to evaporate from the skin (known as transepidermal water loss – TEWL), causing the skin to become more vulnerable.

How dry skin looks and feels:- feels rough- can flake and have uneven texture- appears dry- may be red and prone to inflammation

How to care for dry skin

Dry skin needs oils and lipids to restore its integrity. We recommend oils because they penetrate deep into the skin and can be layered with creams or balms to retain moisture. The Calm Cleansing Milkis perfect for this skin type and can be used with the anti-inflammatory and nourishing Cloud Comfort Cream. This skin type can also benefit from a spritz of Sea Toning Mistto enhance the absorption of the oils and creams. Dry skin often requires gentle exfoliation a few times a week to help remove the flakes and encourage cellular renewal; you will find the Fruit Radiance Maskperfect for this purpose as it exfoliates with enzymes as well as delicate jojoba beads while also hydrating the skin. We also recommend taking an internal approach to healing your skin by consuming more essential fatty acids either in the form of omega 3 supplements or dietary sources.

As the weather changes, the signs of both dry and dehydrated skin start to become amplified as the weather gets colder and drier. Now is the time to start correcting this imbalance between water and oil within the skin.

If you are struggling to distinguish whether your skin is dry, dehydrated or both we encourage you to reach out to your local skin health professional or connect with us via our live chat or email.